St George’s Church during Holy Week

Holy Week at St George’s Church 

Palm Sunday                                    Mark 11. 1 – 11

On Palm Sunday Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
He comes in peace.  The people wave palm branches and shout “Hosanna”

We are given blessed palm crosses which we carry, singing, as we process around the church and Beckenham Green during our 9.30am Eucharist.

We take them home and keep them until they are brought back to church to be burned for the ash of the next Ash Wednesday.

At 5.30pm we have our Evening Prayer Service followed at 7.00pm by our Holy Week Play Witness.

Monday of Holy Week                  Mark 11. 15 – 18; Matthew 21. 23 – 46

Jesus had left Jerusalem the previous evening without any fuss, protest or excitement. Now he returns and acts on what he sees as a desecration of the holy place. He enters the Temple in Jerusalem and challenges the leaders and teachers. After clearing out the dealers, the money changers and the animals from the Temple, Jesus continues teaching.

This is a quiet day in church to allow for private prayer and reflection.

In the evening at 8pm the Players perform the Holy Week Play – Witness

Tuesday of Holy Week                  Mark 12.38 – 40; Luke 21. 5 – 38

Again in the Temple teaching Jesus tells parables about the end of time and gives his prophecy of the destruction of the Temple and of the persecution of his followers.
But here he is alluding to the Temple, his body. Each evening Jesus leaves the Temple and goes to spend the night on the Mount of Olives.

This evening we have at 7pm Stations of the Cross which follows the way of Jesus to the Cross.  This is followed at 8pm by the final performance of Witness

Wednesday of Holy Week           Mark 14. 3 – 11

While resting at his friend’s home in Bethany, near Jerusalem, Jesus is anointed by a woman. Having decided to hand Jesus over to the authorities, Judas leaves.

10.30am today Holy Communion Service

Maundy Thursday                          Mark 14. 12 – 17, 22 – 26, John 13. 1 – 17; John 18. 1 – 27

The Passover supper is prepared. Before they can eat the disciples need to wash the dust off their feet.
Jesus takes a jug of water and a towel and washes his disciples’ feet and gives them the command:

‘I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you’.                 (John 13. 15)

‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another’.      (John 13. 34)

They eat and drink together and then leave for the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus spends time in prayer.Then Judas arrives and directs the crowd of soldiers to Jesus: ‘he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him’ (Mark 14. 45). Jesus is arrested.

At 12.30pm  today there is a Said Holy Communion Service

At 8pm today the Eucharist includes the Washing of the Feet and concludes with the procession to the Garden of Remembrance
and the Watch in the Garden of Gethsemane – a time of quiet prayer.

Good Friday                                     Mark 15. 1 – 39; John 18. 28- 19.37

After a dubious, possibly illegal, trial Jesus is condemned. He makes his way to the place of execution and, at Golgotha, the Place of a Scull, he is crucified and di

es.
His mother and the disciple, John, stand at the foot of the Cross.  Jesus’ dead body is taken to the tomb offered by Joseph of Arimathea.

From 12noon until 3pm today is a time of quiet reflection including Prayer Stations to offer an opportunity for quiet meditation.
At 2.00pm we follow  The Liturgy of Good Friday which includes the Veneration of the Cross.

Holy Saturday/ Easter Eve                               Mark 15. 42 – 47

On the next day, the Sabbath, Jesus’ body rests in the tomb.  The tomb was sealed and guards were set to keep the tomb secure.
The harrowing of hell is the traditional name  given to the events of Holy Saturday.

The stained glass window on the south side of St George’s Church parish office depicts event.

At 8pm today the New Fire is lit outside the church and the light is carried into the darkened building.
(The Light of Christ) The service contains Readings and Music and concludes with a renewal of Baptismal Vows.